I have found in writing series (three so far!) that the main story arc really does come to a conclusion at some point, and when you reach that endpoint, it's either time to start a new series in that world or move on.
Interestingly, of my three series, only the fantasy series has a "new series in that world" prospect. The first science fiction series, The Netwalk Sequence, really has a full arc and while I might write about different characters in that world, the most I might do is write a short story or two about those characters. We'll see what happens because I plan to do new covers, fix a few tech issues, and reissue this fall.
So it's somewhat interesting to look at series from this perspective. I can't imagine working on an open-ended or reset series (though suddenly I have a notion about how such could be...entertaining...) but I know other people who couldn't do anything else.
The most recent science fiction series, The Martiniere Legacy, is a mix. The first three books (Inheritance, Ascendant, Realization) are a definite trilogy. The fourth book, The Heritage of Michael Martiniere is a standalone that takes off from the trilogy but does not require reading the trilogy to know what's going on. Broken Angel: The Lost Years of Gabriel Martiniere (out late April/early May) is a prequel to the trilogy but again, does not require reading the trilogy first.
As far as the fantasy series is concerned, I'm getting ready to write another trilogy in that world because while major arcs were concluded at the end of the Goddess's Honor series, there was enough left over to kick off another trilogy.
It's interesting thinking about series from the writer's perspective. While I can't imagine writing an open-ended series or a reset series (though I just got an interesting notion about how to do that and have some fun with it) I know that there are other writers who do like writing those series. Mileage varies.
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Interestingly, of my three series, only the fantasy series has a "new series in that world" prospect. The first science fiction series, The Netwalk Sequence, really has a full arc and while I might write about different characters in that world, the most I might do is write a short story or two about those characters. We'll see what happens because I plan to do new covers, fix a few tech issues, and reissue this fall.
So it's somewhat interesting to look at series from this perspective. I can't imagine working on an open-ended or reset series (though suddenly I have a notion about how such could be...entertaining...) but I know other people who couldn't do anything else.
The most recent science fiction series, The Martiniere Legacy, is a mix. The first three books (Inheritance, Ascendant, Realization) are a definite trilogy. The fourth book, The Heritage of Michael Martiniere is a standalone that takes off from the trilogy but does not require reading the trilogy to know what's going on. Broken Angel: The Lost Years of Gabriel Martiniere (out late April/early May) is a prequel to the trilogy but again, does not require reading the trilogy first.
As far as the fantasy series is concerned, I'm getting ready to write another trilogy in that world because while major arcs were concluded at the end of the Goddess's Honor series, there was enough left over to kick off another trilogy.
It's interesting thinking about series from the writer's perspective. While I can't imagine writing an open-ended series or a reset series (though I just got an interesting notion about how to do that and have some fun with it) I know that there are other writers who do like writing those series. Mileage varies.